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Running backs need to get a grip before Denver Broncos' season starts

It's no stretch to say that Knowshon Moreno has the most NFL experience of Denver's top three tailbacks. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase put on his most serious face to accompany his sternest tone of voice.

The subject: running backs.

Gase isn't messing around.

Not that he ever was, but there was added irritation and urgency in his voice when the issue was broached, particularly a discussion of ball security. Denver's running game — specifically tailbacks Montee Ball, Ronnie Hillman and Knowshon Moreno — hasn't produced a large amount of confidence this summer.

That makes Saturday night's "dress rehearsal" preseason game in Denver against the St. Louis Rams all the more important.

"A lot of people say we're the question in camp," Hillman said. "So we have to show them that we're really not, that it's really just who will step up and play the best and who is going to be the impact player."

The first key to making an impact in the ground game is holding on to the football. Hillman fumbled twice in the Broncos' preseason game against Seattle last weekend, once when he dived toward the goal line. Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner returned the fumble 106 yards for a touchdown.

"We've talked about it," said Gase, who called all of the Broncos' turnovers unacceptable. "It's been a huge point of emphasis for us this offseason, because the fumbles we had early in the season last year — that was one of the main factors why we started off as slow as we did."

But Gase isn't about to push the panic button. Think of this as a tough love phase of pushing his backs, and thus the Denver running game, to the heights he wants it to reach.

"We're making strides toward what we want, as far as the outside zone working for us and mixing in the inside zone," Gase said. "And we're getting a great push from up front. We're going to keep working on some of our gap-scheme stuff, and eventually we're going to pop one of those. So right now the running game is headed in the direction we want it to."

The sample size is small. Hillman, Ball and Moreno have combined to carry the ball only 33 times in two preseason games. Moreno leads the way in yards per carry with a pedestrian average of 3.8, but more will be known Saturday night when the regulars play at least a half.

"We're pretty much trying to get a mesh with the O-line and trying to pick up from where we are in practice and see what we've been working on all week," Hillman said. "I think we have the potential to be a better running team. We've definitely made strides. We're going to use this game and the next couple of weeks so we can come into the Baltimore game (the season opener) with a full head of steam."

Moreno said he has advised the young running backs to "just run physical, punish the defenders and just run hard and make sure we do the little things right all night."

One of those items is pass protection, which is where Moreno stands heads and shoulders above the rest. It is paramount to keep quarterback Peyton Manning off the ground. As such, the season-opening starter at tailback is not predetermined.

"Running the ball is instinct; a lot of guys can just do that," Moreno said. "It's the other little things that you can do: catch the ball out of the backfield, pass protection and every year you want to get better at those things. Not only is it a technical thing, I think it's more of a mentality and a physical thing — wanting to get physical."

Check back soon

The Broncos are trying to get youngsters Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball up to speed with all of the aspects of being an NFL tailback before the Sept. 5 season opener vs. Baltimore. Here's where they and Knowshon Moreno stand:

Ronnie Hillman: Has improved in pass protection, struggling with fumbles.

Montee Ball: Rookie learning the ropes of pass protection.

Knowshon Moreno: Best of the three in pass protection, but durability and explosiveness have been issues. Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post

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